First
Holy Communion, First Confession and Confirmation through the
years.
This is an artist's
impression of Mother of Fair Love School. It was built
on this site in James' St. Kilkenny, beginning in 1966.
In the pages that follow you will get an impression of
the ceremonies of First Holy Communion, First Confession
and Confirmation through the years.
Bishop Birch was
the founder of this school. He died in 1981.
The birch tree has
since been adopted as our emblem, both to commemorate
Bishop Birch and to represent the growth and development
of all the pupils who attend this school.
Bishop Birch appointed
Fr. Pat Duggan as our first school chaplin in 1966.
This is the earliest
photograph of any ceremony available in Mother of Fair
Love School. It was taken in 1975. We see the children
with Fr. Tommy Murphy.
On the death of
Bishop Birch in 1981 Bishop Laurence Forristal was appointed
to the Diocese of Ossory.
First Communion
has for many years now been celebrated in our school hall.
Much preparation goes into the day to make it the most
memorable and enjoyable possible. This habit has come
about as in some years there has been as few as two children
receiving the sacrament. It was found that the setting
of the hall helped to make it an intimate and meaningful
ceremony for all concerned.
In this photograph
we see the First Communion class of 1989 These children
are now all past pupils and are in various positions of
employment. The birch trees in the background were planted
on this site in 1981 to commemorate Bishop Birch, our
founder. Behind them you can just make out the end wall
of the Presentation Convent as it was before it was demolished.
Mrs. Millie Ryan
had the responsibility of the First Holy Communion class
for many years. She put in an intensive amount of work
to help the children prepare for their special day. This
is Mrs. Ryan with the only two children to receive their
Communion in 1996.
This is the First
Communion class of 1995. Because of the larger number
of children receiving Communion it was deemed necessary
to hold the ceremony in St. Mary's Cathedral, which
is just across the road from our school. This photograph
was taken in the grounds of St. Mary's Cathedral with
Fr. Liam Cassin, celebrant.
Fr. Liam Cassin
was appointed school chaplin and is still our chaplin
to this day (April 2001).
Here we see two
children in 1997 making their First Confession with Fr.
Cassin in their classroom. Mrs. Brennan has been responsible
for this sacrament since 1990. The families and friends
of the children receiving the sacraments are welcome to
attend their child's special day.
The Confirmation
classes of Mother of Fair Love School shown in this project
are from the years 1995 through to 1999. We see each group
being propared by Mrs. Herlihy for their special ceremony
in class.
This photograph
shows some of our students in the grounds of St. Mary's
Cathedral on their Confirmation Day. Bishop Forristal
has been the celebrant on these occasions.
Traditionally Mother
of Fair Love School has provided refreshments for the
students and their families and friends in the school
hall following the ceremony.
